Internal combustion engine



Au 30, 1932. A, NNEN 1,874,336

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheetl as w A TTORNE Y.

A. M. NWEN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Original Filed Sept. 19 1927 2Sheet s-Sheet INVEN TOR. flrcfize wcpzait JV/T an w A TTORNE Y.

Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARCHIE MACI'HAILNIVEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CONTINENTAL MOTORS CORPORATION,OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE Application filed September 19, 1927, Serial No. 220,295. RenewedOctober 14, 1931.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and in part refersmore particularly to an improved driving mechanism for the single sleevevalves of an engine having its cylinders arranged radially about acrankshaft. Each cylinder is provided with a single sleeve valve of theBurt-McCollum type in which the sleeve is given a combmed reciprocatingand oscillating movement to control the usual cylinder intakeand exhaustports whereby any point on the sleeve is moved in a closed path withrespect to the cylinder ordinarily surrounding the sleeve.

My invention, in part, has to do with the aforesaid type of sleeve valvemovement where the engine cylinders are arranged radially about thecrankshaft.

Radial engines, in general, are particularly adapted for aircraftpropulsion and my invention is especially useful in this field althoughnot necessarily limited thereto as my engine may be used whereverdesired.

One feature of my invention provides a simply constructed sleeve drivingmechannism by reason of which much of the usual gear train iseliminated. Furthermore a relatively light weight engine is provided andthe simplicity of the mechanism will permit of a relatively lowmanufacturing cost. Manufacturers of aircraft engines are constantlystriving to reduce the number of valve operating parts in order tosimplify the engine so as to reduce the cost of manufacture, reduce theweight of the engine as much as possible, and reduce the hazard ofengine failure since each part of the operating mechanism introduces anelement of possible breakage and engine failure. My invention is adecided step in advance in meeting these desired qualities in an engine.I

With the foregoing objects in view I have provided an operating elementconnected to drive each of the sleeve valves for the cylin ders of aradial engine, the operating element being driven in a simple mannerfrom the engine crankshaft.

In one embodiment of my invention the driving mechanism for the sleevevalves is arranged to drive the power take-elf portion of the enginecrankshaft at reduced engine speed.

A further feature of my invention resides in an increased air'coolingefliciency for an air cooled engine, particularly for a radial internalcombustion engine, the manifolding being so constructed and arranged soas to eliminate dead air pockets in the vicinity of the manifolding.

A still further feature resides in an improved structure for cooling therecessed cylinder heads and sparkplugs ordinarily located therein.

With the above and other objects in view my invention resides in thenovel combination and arrangement of parts more particularly Ihereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters representcorresponding parts,

Fig. 1 isa section view through the engine. illustrating the sleevedriving mechanism,

Fig. 2 is afront elevation view of the engine partly in section along 22of Fig. 1 to illustrate the sleeve driving mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a detail section along 3-3 of Fig. 2 illustrating themanifolding construction for a typical cylinder, and

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification ofmy invention.

In the drawings the engine may comprise a main crank case 10 and endcover 11 together housing the crankshaft 12 journalled in bearings 13,14, and 15.

A .plurality of cylinders 16 are arranged with their axes radiating fromthe crank shaft preferably in a common plane. Each cylinder 16 has itsouter end closed by a cyllnder head 17 which may extend within thecylinder to provide an annular sleeve pocket 18 and a recess 19 for oneor morespark plugs 20. The single sleeve valve 21 is preferably locatedbetween the cylinder 16 and piston A,

the cylinders being provided with intake and exhaust ports 22, and 23respectively controlled by the sleeve valve intake and exhaust ports 24,and 25 in a manner well known in the Burt-McCollum type of engine. Theseveral pistons A are suitably connected by rods B to drive the crank Cof the shaft12. Ordinarily in a radial engine there is provided a masterrod B connected with one of the pistons, the remaining connecting rods B1 being articulated on the master rod by a pivextending in directionopposite to the crank 27. The cranks 27 and 30 together form a unitarydriving element or mechanism rotatable in bearing-28.

The several cranks 30 are journalled in an element 31 which is in thenature of a strap mounted on an eccentric 32. This eccentric isrotatable in a bearing 33 conveniently carried by the cover 11 and maybe driven in a suitable manner from the crankshaft 12. In the embodimentillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. the eccentric 32 is provided with aninternal gear 33 meshing with a pinion 34 keyed at 35 to the crankshaft12.

The pinion 34 drives the eccentric 32 which rotates in the bearing 33off-center with respect to the crankshaft 12 and at half thecrankshaftspeed whereby the sleeve valves will perform their cycle athalf engine speed where a four stroke cycle engine is desired. Theeccentric 32 operates the strap or element 31 whereby all points on thelatter move in the same direction at any time, any point moving in acircle whereby the cranks 30 are rotated in unison. By relativelyangularly locating the cranks 27 and 30 for each sleeve the desiredrelative timing of the various cylinders is obtained. In Fig. 2 I haveillustrated the relative positions of the cranks 27 and 30 for a fivecylinder engine alth ough it is obvious that any desired number ofcylinders may be provided. The mechanism will operate without providinga bearing for the eccentric 32, as the bearing. 33, but such a bearingis desirable to relieve the thrust of the driving pinion 34. Where theengine is used for aircraft the propeller may be conveniently mounted,if desired, on the end 12 of the crankshaft 12.

With reference to Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modification wherein theeccentric 32 is carried by the power take-ofi' shaft 12 separatefrointhe main portion of the crankshaft 12. The shaft 12 is rotatably mountedin bearings 15 and .15 conveniently formed in the cover 11, the axis ofthe shaft 12 being located on the axis of the gear 33' which is also theaxis of rotation of the eccentric 32'. I have thus provided a powertake-off shaft driven at reduced engine speed, such as half speed in theillustrated embodiment. Furthermorethe bearing for the shaft 12 alsoprovides the bearing for the eccentric 32. Where the engine is used foraircraft propulsion the airscrew or propeller may be mounted on theshaft 12 it being desirable in many instances to drive the propeller atreduced engine speed. My invention thus provides a reduced drive withoutrequiring the addition may be secured to the cylinder head by fasteners37, the deflecting element preferably also having a baffle portion 38extending inwardly in the recess 19 but terminating a distance away fromthe bottom of the recess so as to cause the deflected air to circulatearound the bottom of the recess 19 and around the spark plug 20,maintaining these parts in a properly cool condition. By locating thedeflecting element 36 intermediate the front and rear of the cylinderhead with respect to the travel of the slipstream or cooling air.current an efficient flow of cooling air is obtained, the deflected airpassing upwardly on the right of baflie 38 as viewed in Fig. 1 andjoining the slipstream passing above the cylinder, the slipstream atthis point assisting in the circulation of the cooling air. If desiredthe baflie portion 38 may be omitted.

Ordinarily the intake manifold is located at the rear of the engine andthe exhaust manifold at the front, although the position of these partsmight be reversed. I have shown the intake manifold 39 located in thecustomaryposition for radial engines. The exhaust gases are removed at aplurality of points, each cylinder being provided with divergingconduits 40, best shown in Fig. 3, fitted with exhaust manifolds ormanifold sections'41. Each manifold 41 may be connected with adjacentconduits 40 of adjacent cylinders as shown in Fig. 2. Heretoforedifliculty has been experienced in properly cooling the cylinders in thevicinity of the exhaust manifold which tends to be the hottest part ofthe engine and where branched exhaust manifolds were used dead airpockets formed between the branches where they were connected to thecylinders. By offsetting the exhaust manifolds to either side of theaxis of the cylinders as viewed in the direction of the slipstream, andby diverging the exhaust conduits 40, the portion of the cylinder in thevicinity of the exhaust con- Fig. 3, the diverging walls of the conduits4O permitting such escape. The exhaust manifolds 41 may exhaustindividually into the atmosphere or may be joined together for a singledischarge as desired.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons within said cylindersrespectively connected with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve foreach cylinder provided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports,said sleeve valves having their axes in common with the respectivecylinder axes-and each havinga combined reciprocating and oscillatingmovement with respect to its axis, crank means connected with eachsleeve valve, an element connected with the crank means of each sleevevalve, and means for driving said element from the crankshaft forimparting the aforesaid movement to the sleeve valves.

2. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradiall about the crankshaft, pistons within sai cylinders respectivelyconnected with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve for each cylinderprovided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports, saidsleevevalves having their axes in common with the respective cylinderaxes and each having a combined reciprocating and oscillating movementwith respect to its axis, a crank connected with each sleeve valve, asecond crank operably connected with each of the first said cranks, anelement connected with the second said cranks and means for driving saidelement. from the crankshaft to impart the aforesaid movement to thesleeve valves.

3, An internal combustion engine com-- prising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders havin their axes disposedradially about the cran shaft, pis

' tons within said cylinders respectively con- 'nected with the crankhaft, a single sleeve valvefor each cylinde provided with portscooperating with the 'cylinde'r ports, said sleeve valves having'theiraxes in common with the respective cylinder axes, and each 'means Iaforesaid movement including an eccentric having a combinedreciprocatingv and oscillating movement with respect to'its axis, and

for driving the sleeve valves with the driven from the crankshaft and astrap driven by the eccentric.

4. An internal combustion engine compris- ,each cylinder provided withhaving their axes in common with the respectlve cyhnder axes and eachhaving a comblned reciprocating and oscillating movement with respect toits axis, crank means connected with each sleeve valve, a driving pinioncarried by the crankshaft, an element connected with each of the saidcrank means, and an eccentric transmitting the drive from the pinion tothe said element whereby the aforesalid movement is imparted to thesleeve valves.

'5. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality radially about the crankshaft, pistons 4 ofported cylinders having their axes disposed radially about thecrankshaft, pistons within said cylinders respectively connected withthe crankshaft, a single sleeve valve for each cylinder provided withthe ports coopcrating with the cylinder ports, said sleeve valves havingtheir axes in common with the respective cylinder axes and each having acombined reciprocating and oscillating movement with respect to itsaxis, a crank con-.

nected with each sleeve valve, a second crank operably connected witheach of the first said cranks, a strap connecting each of the saidsecond cranks, an eccentric driving the strap and formed with aninternal gear surrounding the crankshaft, and a driving pinion carriedby the crankshaft meshing with the said internal gear whereby the sleevevalves are given the aforesaid movement.

6. A sleeve valve driving mechanism comprising in combination with acrankshaft and ciprocating and oscillating movement.

7. An internal combustion engine 'comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons within said cylindersrespectively connected .with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve foreach cylinder provided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports,said sleeve valves 1 having their axes incommon with the respectivecylmder axes and each having a combined reciprocating and oscillatingmove-' ment with respect to its axis, a crank case, a. crank case cover,crank means rotatably supported by the crank case and connected witheach sleeve valve, a strap connected with the crank means of each sleevevalve, an eccentric having a bearing on the crank case cover foroperating the strap, and means for driving the eccentric from thecrankshaft toimpart to I the sleeve valves the aforesaid movement.

8. An internal combustion en ine comprising in combination, a cranksha aplurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposed radially aboutthe crankshaft, pistons within said cylinders respectively connectedwith the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve for each cylinder providedwith ports cooperating with the cylinder ports, said sleeve valveshaving their axes in common with the respective cylinder axes and eachhaving a combined reciprocating and oscillating movement with respect toits axis, crank means connected with each sleeve valve, an elementconnected with the crank means of each sleeve valve, and a shaft drivenfrom the crankshaft and driving said element whereby the sleeve valvesare given the aforesaid movement.

9. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons within said cylindersrespectively connected with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve foreach cylinder provided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports,said sleevevalves having their axes in common with the respectivecylinder axes, and each having a combined. reciprocating and oscillatingmovement with respect to its axis, and driving means between thecrankshaft and sleeve valves including a rotatable shaft having its axisoffset from the crankshaft axis.

10. An internal combustion engine com-,

prising in combination, a crankshaft, a pluralityof ported cylindershaving their axes disposed radially about the crankshaft, pistons withinsaid cylinders respectively connected with the crankshaft, a singlesleeve valve for each cylinder provided with ports cooperating with thecylinder ports, said sleeve valves having their axes in common with therespective cylinder axes and each having a combined reciprocating andoscillating movement with respect to its axis, a.

riving pinion mounted on the crankshaft, a

' 'power take-offshaft rotatably driven from said pinion about an axisoffset from the crankshaft axis, said power. take-off shaft providedwith an eccentric, a strap operated by the eccentric, and meansconnecting the strap andfsleeve valves whereby the sleeve valves aregiven the aforesaid movement.

- 11. An internal combustion engine com prising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons within said cylindersrespectively connected with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valvefor'each cylinder provided with ports cooperating with the'cylinderports, said sleeve valves having their axes in common with therespective cylinder axes and each having a combined reciprocating andoscillating movement with respect to its axis, a driving pinion mountedon the crankshaft, a power take-ofl' shaft having an internal gearmeshing with said pinion and provided with an eccentric, and meansoperated by the eccentric connecting the sleeve valves for imparting theaforesaid movement to the sleeve valves.

12. An internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylindersradially arranged about the engine crankshaft, a crankshaft housingstructure, valving means for the cylinders, and'a reduction mechanismtransmitting a drive between the crankshaft and valving means includinga power take-off shaft rotatable about an axis offset from thecrankshaft axis said power take-oif shaft extending outwardly throughand beyond said housing.

13. A sleeve valve driving mechanism comprising in combination with acrankshaft and a plurality of engine cylinders disposed radially aboutsaid crankshaft, each cylinder having sleeve valve means associatedtherewith, and means including an eccentric and strap intermediate thecrankshaft and sleeve valve means for moving-all sleeve valve means ofsaid cylinders.

14. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, acrankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons withinsaid cylinders respectivelyconnected with the crankshaft, a single sleeve valve for each cylinderprovided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports, said sleevevalves having their axes in common with the respective cylinder axes andeach having a combined reciprocating and oscillating movement .withrespect to its axis, driving means connected with each sleeve valve, anoperating member extending around the crankshaft for connection with thedriv 15. An internal combustion engine embodying the combination recitedin claim 14 in which the operating member comprises a strap and in whichthe crankshaft moving means for the strap includes an eccentric.

. 16. An internal combustion engine embodying the combination recited inclaim 14 in which the operating member is moved at reducedcrankshaftspeed. i

17. An internal combustion engine embodying the, combination recited inclaim 14 in which the crankshaft moving means includes a power take-offshaft rotatable about an axis offset from the crankshaft axis.

18. An internal combustion engine having a crankcase and comprising incombination, a crankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having theiraxes disposed radiallyabout the crankshaft, pistons within saidcylinders re spectively connected with the crankshaft, a sleeve valvemeans for each cylinder provided with ports cooperating with thecylinder ports, a wall adjacent one end of the crankcase and offset toone side of the plane having their axes disposed radially about thecrankshaft, pistons within said'cylinders respectively connected withthe crankshaft, a sleeve valve means for each cylinder provided withports cooperating with the. cylinder ports, a wall adjacent one end ofthe crankcase and offset to one side of the plane of the enginecontaining the cylinder axes, a plurality of sleeve valve actuatingmeans supported by said Wall, and a common operating elementeccentrically mounted with respect to the crankshaft arranged to becon-- nected with all of said sleeve valve actuating means andoperatively connected with said crankshaft.

20. An internal combustion engine having a crankcase and comprisingincombination, a

crankshaft, a plurality of ported cylinders having their axes disposedradially about the crankshaft, pistons within said cylindersrespectively connected with the crankshaft, a sleeve, valve means foreach cylinder provided with ports cooperating with the cylinder ports,awall adjacent one end of the crankcase and offset to one-side of theplane of the engine containing the cylinder axes,

* a plurality-of sleeve valve actuating cranks rotatably supported bysaid wall and having axes parallel'with the crankshaft axis, and acommon operating element eccentrically mounted with respect to thecrankshaft arranged to be connected with all of said sleeve valveactuating cranks and operatively connected with said crankshaft.

21. An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a plurality ofcylinders radially'arranged about the engine crankshaft, a crankshafthousing structure, valving means for the cylinders, a reductionmechanism transmitting a drive between the crankshaft and valving meansand including an intermediate driving intermediary, and a power take-offshaft secured to said driving intermediary, said power take-off shaftextending outwardly through and beyond said housing.

22. An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a plurality ofcylinders radially arranged about the engine crankshaft, a crankshafthousing structure, valving means for the cylinders, areduction'mechanism transmitting a drive between the crankshaft andvalving means and including an intermediate driving intermediary, and apower take-ofl shaft secured to said driving intermediary and rotatableabout an axis offset from the crankshaft axis, said power takeoff shaftextending outwardly through and beyond said housing.

23. An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a plurality ofcylinders radially arranged about the engine crankshaft, a crankshafthousing structure, valving means for the cylinders, a reductionmechanism transmitting a drive between the crankshaft and valving meansand including an intermediate internal gear operatively connected withsaid crankshaft, and a power take-off shaft secured to said gear, saidpower take off shaft extendingoutwardly through and beyond said housing.

24. In a sleeve valve engine, the combination with a crankshaft and aplurality of ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft,each cylinder having a piston operatively connected to the crankshaft,sleeve valve means ported for intake, and exhaust and associated witheach cylinder, and means for operating said sleeve valve means includinga gear driven by said crankshaft, an eccentric driven by said gear, anda sleeve operating element actuated by said eccentric and connected witheach sleeve valve means for directing movement of the same whereby thesleeve ports and the ports of the associated cylinder will cooperate tocontrol the admission of fuel to the cylinders and the exhaust of gasfrom the cylinders.

25. In a sleeve valve engine, the combination with a crankshaft and aplurality of ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft,each cylinder having a piston operatively, connected to the crankshaft,sleeve valve means ported for intake and exhaust and associated witheach cylinder, and,

means for operating said sleeve valve'means including a gear driven bysaid crankshaft, an eccentric driven by said gear at one half crankshaftspeed, and a sleeve operating ele-v ment actuated by said eccentric andconnected with each sleeve valve,means for directing movement of thesame whereby the sleeve ports and the ports of the associated cylinderwill cooperate to control the admission of fuel to the cylinders and theexhaust of gas from the cylinders.

26. In a sleeve valve engine, the combination with a crankshaft and aplurality of.

ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft, each cylinderhaving a piston operatively connected to the crankshaft, sleeve valvemeans ported for intake and exhaust and associated with each cylinder,crank means associated with each of said sleeve valve means, and meansfor operating said sleeve valve means including a gear driven by said Icrankshaft, an eccentric driven by said gear,

and an element actuated by said eccentric and connected with each ofsaid crank means for actuating said sleeve valve means whereby thesleeve ports and the ports of the associated cylinder will cooperate tocontrol the admission of fuel to the cylinders and the exhaust of gasfrom the cylinders.

27. In a sleeve valveengine, the combination with a crankshaft and aplurality of ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft,each cylinder having a piston operatively connected to the crankshaft,sleeve valve means ported for intake and exhaust and associated witheach cylinder, crank means associated with each of said sleeve 7 valvemeans and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis ofthe engine crankshaft, and means for operating said sleeve valve meansincluding a gear driven by said crankshaft, an eccentric driven by saidgear, and an element actuated by said eccentrio and connected with eachof said crank means for actuating said sleeve valve means whereby thesleeve ports and the ports of the associated cylinder will cooperate tocontrol the admission of fuel to the cylinders and the exhaust of gasfrom the cylinders.

28. In a sleeve valve engine, the combination with a crankshaft and aplurality of ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft,each cylinder having a piston operatively connected'to the crankshaft,sleeve valve means ported for intake and exhaust and associated witheach cylinder, crank means associated with each of said sleeve valvemeans and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis ofthe engine crankshaft, and means for operating said sleeve valve meansincluding a gear driven by said crankshaft, an eccentric driven by saidgear, and an element actuated by said eccentric and connected with eachof said crank means for actuating said sleeve valve means whereby thesleeve ports and the ports of the associated cylinder will cooperate tocontrol the admission of fuel to the cylinders and the exhaust of gasfrom the cylinders, said element supported for movement in a planeparallel to the engine plane containing the cylinder axes.

29. In a sleeve valve engine, the combina- -tion with a crankshaft and aplurality of ported cylinders disposed radially about the crankshaft,each cylinder having a piston operatively connected to the crankshaft,sleeve valve means ported for intake and exhaust and associated witheach cylinder, crank means associated with each of said sleeve valvemeans and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis ofthe engine crankshaft, and means for operating said sleeve valve meansincluding a gear driven by said crankshaft, an eccentric driven by saidgear, and an element actuated by said eccentric and connected with eachof said crank means for actuating said sleeve valve means whereby thesleeve ports and the ports of t e associated cylinder will cooperate tocontrol the admission of fuel to the cylinders and the exhaust of gasfrom the cylinders, said element having an orbital movement in a planeparallel to the engine plane containing the cylinder and sleeve axes.

30. An internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders radially disposed about the crankshaft, a piston operablein each cylinder, means connecting the pistons and crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with each cylinder, and sleeve valve operatingmeans including an eccentrically driven sleeve valve actuatingelementand reduction gearing intermediate said element and crankshaft.

31. An internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders radially disposed about the crankshaft, a piston operablein each cylinder, means connecting the pistons and crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with each cylinder, and sleeve valve operatingmeans including an eccentrically driven sleeve valve actuating elementand reduction gearing intermediate said element and crankshaft, saidgearing including a driving gear secured to said crankshaft and a drivengear supported for rotation about an axis offset in parallel relationwith respect to the crankshaft axis.

32. An internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders radially-disposed about the crankshaft, a piston operablein each cylinder, means connecting the pistons and crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with each cylinder, and sleeve valve operatingmeans including a sleeve valve actuating element, an eccentric foroperating same, and reduction gearing intermediate the eccentric andcrankshaft, said gearing including driving gear secured to saidcrankshaft, and a driven gear supported for rotation about an axisoffset in parallel relation with respect to the crankshaft axis, saiddriven gear operatively connected with said eccentric.

33. An internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders radially disposed about the crankshaft, a piston operablein each cylinder, means connecting the pistons and crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with each cylinder, and sleeve valve operatingmeans including a sleeve valve actuating element, an eccentric foroperating same, and reduction gearing intermediate the eccentric andcrankshaft, said gearing including a driving gear secured to saidcrankshaft, and a driven gear operat1vely connected with said eccentric.

34. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and lit) comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectively having cooperating intake andexhaust ports, a wall portionassociated with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, and means for operating said sleevevalve means including an eccentrically driven element located to thatside of the wall remote from the engine plane containing the cylinderaxes, and means extending through said wall for connecting said elementwith the said sleeve valve means.

35. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectively having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a wall portionassociated ,with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, a common sleeve valve operatingelement, reduction gearing intermediate said element and crankshaft, andmeans extending through said wall for connecting said element with saidsleeve valve means.

36. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectively having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a wall portionassociated with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, a sleeve valve operating element,reduction gearing intermediate said element and crankshaft, and meansextending through said wall for connecting said element with said sleevevalve means, said reduction gearing including a driving gear secured tothe crankshaft and a driven gear supported for rotation about an axisoffset in parallel relation with respect to the crankshaft axis.

37. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectively having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a wall portionassociated with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularlyto the axis of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, and sleeve valve operating meansincluding an element located to that side of the wall remote from theengine plane containing the cylinder axes, an eccentric for operatinsaid element, reduction gearing intermediate said eccentric andcrankshaft and including a driving gear secured to the crankshaft and adriven gear operatively connected with the eccentric, and meansextending through said wall for connecting said element with said sleevevalve means.

38. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectivel having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a wall portionassociated with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, and sleeve valve operating, meansincluding an element located to that side of the wall remote from theengine plane'containing the cylinder axes, an eccentric for operatingsaid element, re duction gearing intermediate said eccentric andcrankshaft and including a driving gear secured to the crankshaft and adriven gearoperatively connected with the eccentric, an crank meansextending through said wall for operatively connecting said element w1thsaid sleeve valve means.

39. An internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase and comprising in combination, a crankshaft, a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means positioned radially aboutthe crankshaft, said cylinders and associated sleeve valve meansrespectively having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a wall portionassociated with said crankcase and extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the ax1s of the crankshaft to one side of the engineplane containing the cylinder axes, and sleeve valve operating cated tothat side of the wall remote from the engine plane containing thecylinder axes, an'eccentric for operating said element, reductiongearing intermediate said eccentric and crankshaft and including adriving gear secured to the crankshaft and a driven gear operativelyconnected with the eccentric, and crank means extending through saidwall for operatively connecting said element with said sleeve valvemeans, said crank means supported by said wall for rotation about axesmeans including an element 10- I extending substantially parallel withthe crankshaft axis.

40. A sleeve valve engine having a crankcase and comprising acrankshaft, a wall portion associated with said crankcase and saidelement, said means including a plurality of sleeve driving units eachincluding a bearing member, said wall portion having a series ofopenings spaced around the crankshaft for receiving said bearingmembers.

f 41. A sleeve valve engine having a crankcase and comprising acrankshaft, a wall portion associated with said crankcase and extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft, a pluralityof cylinders and associated sleeve valve means posi-.

tioned radially about the crankshaft on one side of said wall portion,and sleeve valve operating means including an element located to thatside of the wall portion remote from the engine plane containing thecylinder axes, an eccentric for driving said element, means operativelyconnecting said eccentric in driving relation with said crankshaft, andmeans extending through said wall portion for driving the sleeves fromsaid element, said means including a plurality of sleeve driving unitseach including a crank and a bearing member, said wall portion having aseries of openings spaced around the crankshaft for receiving saidbearing members.

42. In an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase, a crankshaft supported in part by'said crankcase, a wallportion associated with said crankcase, a plurality of cylinders andassociated sleeve valve means positioned radially about the crankshafton one side of said wall portion, sleeve valve operating means drivenfrom said crankshaft and including an eccentric and an operating elementdriven by the eccentric, saidelement and eccentric located to that sideof the wall portion remote from the engine plane containing the cylinderaxes, and sleeve actuating cranks operatively connected with saidelement and extending through said wall portion, said wall provided withbearing means for supporting said crankshaft and said sleeve actuatingcranks.

43. In an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase, a crankshaft supported in part by said crankcase, a wallportion associated with said crankcase, a plurality of cylinders andassociated sleeve valve means positioned radially about the crankshafton one side of said wall portion, sleeve valve operating means drivenfrom said crankshaft and including an eccentric and an operating elementdriven by the eccentric, said element and eccentric located to that sideof the wall portion remote from the engine plane containing the cylinderaxes, and sleeve actuating cranks operatively connected with saidelement and extending through said wall portion, said Wall provided withhearing means for supporting said crankshaft and said sleeve actuatingcranks, and a casing secured to said crankcase for housing said sleeveoperating means, said casing provided with a bearing structure forsupporting said crankshaft.

44. In an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having acrankcase, a crankshaft supported in part by said crankcase, a wallportion associated with said crankcase, a

plurality of cylinders and associated sleeve 1 valve means positionedradially about the crankshaft on one side of said wall portion, sleevevalve operating means driven from said crankshaft and including aneccentric and an operating element driven by the eccentric, said elementand eccentric located to that side of the wall portion remote from theengine plane containing the cylinder axes, and sleeve actuating cranksoperatively connected with said element and extending through said wallportion, said Wall provided with bearing means for supporting saidcrankshaft and said sleeve actuating cranks, and a casing secured tosaid crankcase for housing said sleeve operating means, said casingprovided with a bearing for rotatably supporting said eccentric.

45. In an internal combustion engine of the .sleeve valve type having acrankcase, a crankshaft supported in part by said crankcase, a wallportion associated With said crankcase, a plurality of cylinders andassociated sleeve valve means positioned radially about the crankshafton one side of said wall portion, sleeve valve operating means drivenfrom said crankshaft and including an eccentric and an operating elementdriven by the eccentric, said element and eccentric located to that sideof the wall portion remote from the engine plane containing the cylinderaxes, and sleeve actuatingcranks operatively connected with said elementand extending through said wall portion, said wall provided with hearingmeans for supporting said crankshaft and said sleeve actuating cranks,and a casing secured to said crankcase for housing said sleeve operatingmeans, said casing provided with eccentrically arranged bearingstructures for respectively supporting said crankshaft and saideccentric.

46. In an internal combustion e gine of the radial sleeve valve typeincluding a crankmeans for each cylinder, the combination lid therewithof a sleeve ,valve actuating crank rotatably supported within saidcrankcase and having an axis extending substantially parallel with thecrankshaft axis, and means within said crankcase and including aneccentrio for connecting said sleeve valve crank with said crankshaft.

47. In an internal combustion engine of the fixed radial cylinder typehaving in combination with sleeve valve means one for each cylinder,cranked operating shafts one for each sleeve and rotatably mountedadjacent to the several cylinders for actuating said sleeve valve means,means for driving said cranked shafts and including a common drivingelement and an eccentric operatively connected with said crankshaft fordriving said element, said cranked operating shafts being parallel withthe engine crankshaft.

48. In a sleeve valve engine of the radial cylinder type and including acrankcase having a wall associated therewith and extending generally ina plane substantially parallel with the engine der axes, a crankshaftsupported by said crankcase and extending through said wall, sleevevalve means associated with each cylinder, sleeve valve actuating means,a common operating element connected with said sleeve valve actuatingmeans, and means including an eccentric for driving said element fromsaid crankshaft. I

49. A sleeve valve driving mechanism for a sleeve valve engine having acrankshaft and a plurality of cylinders and associated sleeve valvemeans disposed radially about the crankshaft, said sleeve valve drivingmechanism including sleeve valve actuating elements and means includingan eccentric driven by said crankshaft and operatively connected withsaid actuating elements.

50. In a sleeve valve engine having a cylinder, a crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with the engine cylinder, a sleeve valveactuating device, and means including an eccentric directl driven bysaid crankshaft foroperating said sleeve valve actuating device.

51. In a sleeve valve engine having a cylinder, a crankshaft, sleevevalve means associated with the engine cylinder, and sleeve valveoperating means including an eccentric,

gearing intermediate said eccentric and crankshaft, 7 and a sleeve valveactuating device connecting said eccentric to the sleeve valve means.

52. In a sleeve valve engine, a crankshaft, a plurality of c linders andassociated sleeve valve means isposed radially about the crankshaft, andsleeve valve operating means including an eccentric, gearin intermediatesaid eccentric and cranksha t, and sleeve valve actuating devicesconnecting said eccentric to said sleeve valve means.

53. In a sleeve valve engine, a crankshaft,

plane containing the cylinof crank elements each a plurality ofcylinders and associated sleeve valve means disposed radially about thecrankshaft, and sleeve valve operating means including an eccentric,gearing intermediate said eccentric and crankshaft including an internalgear carried by said eccentric, and

"sleeve valve actuating devices. connecting eccentric bearings.

55. An internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylindersradially arranged about the engine crankshaft, a housing structure,ciated carried by the crankshaft and an internal gear engaging saiddriving gear, said housing provided with eccentric bearings one for saidcrankshaft and the other for said internal gear. l

56. In an engine having a crankshaft and a pluralit of engine cylindersdisposed radially a out the crankshaft, sleeve valve means associatedwith each cylinder, and sleeve driving means including a plurality ofand a reduction drive mechanism asso- I therewith including a drivlnggear eccentrically driven' elements operatively connected with saidcrankshaft.

57. In an en 'ne' having a crankshaft and a plurality 0 engine cylindersdisposed radially abount the crankshaft, sleeve valve means associatedwitheeach cylinder, and sleeve driving means including a pluralityconnected with one of said sleeve valve means, and means operativelyconnecting said eccentrics with said crankshaft including a commondriving ele ment and eccentric means driven by said crankshaft foractuating said common driving element.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 12th day ofSeptember, A. D.

' ARCHIE MACPHAIL NIVEN.

